With Christmas Eve upon us I thought I'd offer my annual post on the origins of the Christmas Star (per astronomy) and thus offering thoughts on when he was really born. Most of us know that Christ was not really born in December or the year zero. A number of people have tried to look first to the Bible for clues about what the star did and when, then they went outside the … [Read more...] about Finding The Christmas Star
Cell Phones Don’t Kill People (Guest Voice)
Cell Phones Don't Kill People by David Goodloe I was listening to the radio yesterday morning, and, for awhile, the topic of the discussion was banning cell phone use while driving. Should we or shouldn't we? I missed the beginning of the conversation, but I assume it was in response to the National Transportation Safety Board's proposal this week for a ban on cell phone … [Read more...] about Cell Phones Don’t Kill People (Guest Voice)
Republicans Top Themselves
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Will Dur$t’s Xma$ Wi$h Li$t
WILL DUR$T'$ 2011 XMA$ GIFT WI$H LI$T Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Bah humbug, everybody. And I imagine that sentiment is being echoed by more than a few of you overly familiar with the soft, dark underbelly of this "happiest time of the year." Those of us who have been washed prone by the gushing holiday faucet of red and green greed and are dreading the repurposed … [Read more...] about Will Dur$t’s Xma$ Wi$h Li$t
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
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Mitt Envy
In a recent interview, Mitt Romney predicted President Obama (and presumably his surrogates) would run "a campaign on envy and class warfare." This envy would presumably be based on Romney's financial success doing leveraged buyout takeover deals. Well sure. Who wouldn't want to be able to borrow a heap of money using a target company's own assets to gain control of that … [Read more...] about Mitt Envy
‘Twas the Weekend After the Debacle
WASHINGTON - 'Twas the weekend after the debacle, when all through the town; everyone was thrilled to be rid of these clowns. The Congress deserved hanging by the monuments for their idiocy, but instead they were sipping Scotch after the deal they'd just botched. The middle class had no security and no clue about next year, with visions of unemployment and an election … [Read more...] about ‘Twas the Weekend After the Debacle
Dickens For the 21st Century
Every year, as Christmas approaches, I think again of A Christmas Carol. The world has always been opposed to the idea of Christmas -- unless it can be turned into a money making proposition. If Christmas can serve the ends of business, by all means, it should be celebrated. But, as Marley's exasperated ghost reminded Scrooge: "BUSINESS? Mankind was my business! Their common … [Read more...] about Dickens For the 21st Century
Music to Gear Up to Christmas By
Tomorrow's the big day. If you're not totally psyched up, this music may help: 96 If that doesn't quite work, how about this number from a mid-1960s original TV musical from a 1960s TV musical about Red Riding Hood: Or how about this? … [Read more...] about Music to Gear Up to Christmas By
They Are Ours
"Spirit, are they yours?" Scrooge could say no more. "They are Man's," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!" … [Read more...] about They Are Ours
Super Tuesday Countdown Begins And Perry Flunks Virginia
Updated: The Virginia GOP announced on Twitter that Texas Governor Rick Perry failed to submit enough signatures to make the ballot for the Virginia primary on March 4, 2012. After verification, RPV has determined that Rick Perry did not submit the required 10k signatures and has not qualified for the VA primary. Republican officials confirmed that former … [Read more...] about Super Tuesday Countdown Begins And Perry Flunks Virginia
George H.W. Bush Backs Mitt Romney
He didn't quite make a formal endorsement but it's the closest thing to it. For months I've predicted that the Bush family would be backing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. One sign: Republican political maven Karl Rove has clearly been critical of candidates giving Romney serious competition. But now The Act (endorsement) is (at least) partly done: Former President … [Read more...] about George H.W. Bush Backs Mitt Romney
Do Nothing Santa
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Trump Ditches GOP: Registers as Independent and Dangles Independent Party Run
One of the most fascinating spectacles of 2011 has been watching Republicans' love affair with Donald Trump, which blossomed as grandly as the flowers in Spring when he suddenly became the nation's most famous birther. Suddenly, some conservative talkers who had dissed The Donald seemingly worshiped him. Suddenly, he had another network home besides NBC: Fox News, which loves … [Read more...] about Trump Ditches GOP: Registers as Independent and Dangles Independent Party Run
Gov. Perry’s Anti-Gay Christianity Is Not My Christianity (Guest Voice)
Gov. Perry’s Anti- Gay Christianity Is Not My Christianity by Shay Dawkins Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s anti-gay “Strong” TV advertisement has been getting a lot of air time in Iowa in the run up to the Jan. 3 Republican caucus. It’s also getting some surprising reaction among his fellow conservatives. I, for one, am happy to see that his ad failed to win the endorsements of … [Read more...] about Gov. Perry’s Anti-Gay Christianity Is Not My Christianity (Guest Voice)
Visualizing The World’s Calorie Consumption (GREAT Infographic
This seems fitting for Christmas: via foodservicewarehouse.com a GREAT Infographic "Visualizing The World’s Calorie Consumption": Source: Food Service Warehouse … [Read more...] about Visualizing The World’s Calorie Consumption (GREAT Infographic
Merry Christmas & Happy 2012
I really cannot compete with the many recent and excellent TMV posts on this subject. I particularly enjoyed Walter Brasch’s post from yesterday confirming that anyone can guiltlessly embrace the many versions of this ancient holiday to which many cultures, religions, and people have contributed. I appreciate all the religious and secular aspects of Christmas. I feel sorry … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas & Happy 2012
Prince Phillip Hospitalized
The 90 year old husband of Queen Elizabeth was hospitalized with chest pains earlier today and was given a stent to repair a blocked coronary artery. He is likely to spend Christmas in the hospital but is expect to make a full recovery. … [Read more...] about Prince Phillip Hospitalized
The Seventh Annual Christmas Radio Show!
Welcome to his vorpal sword's Seventh Annual presentation of "The Saint Nick Case," a Christmas radio play of approximately one-half hour. Click for the radio play For a special treat, The KOPT Radio Theater Players in the 2005 production of “The St. Nick Case,” in wide-spectrum, full color stereo. The radio play was broadcast live on Eugene’s Air America affiliate … [Read more...] about The Seventh Annual Christmas Radio Show!
Behind The Story of A Christmas Carol
Few of us pass the holiday season without at least one viewing of a Christmas Carol. But what many do not know is that there was a story behind the story, and the influence that it had on the author. In Dickens time it was quite common for one man to support not only his own family but the families of his and/or his spouses siblings. Dickens had a great burden on his … [Read more...] about Behind The Story of A Christmas Carol